Today in Kiev the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, with leaders in attendance and via video link. British Prime Minister Burnham expected in the Ukrainian capital, also on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day celebrations. However, Pope Leo’s envoy, Monsignor Gallagher, arrives in Moscow today. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, has already arrived in the Ukrainian capital.
British Prime Minister Burnham is visiting Kiev today
British Prime Minister Burnham will travel to Kiev today on her first international trip since taking office at the end of July, to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, Downing Street said. The Labor leader “is expected to announce that the Government has agreed to allow the defense company MBDA to share classified information on British components of the long-range Scalp missile”, reads a statement from London. This cruise missile is the French version of the British Storm Shadow, both based on shared Franco-British technology. This decision “will allow the French and Ukrainians to accelerate the assembly of this missile in Ukraine”, Downing Street explained. In Kiev, Burnham will co-chair her first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which brings together countries that support Ukraine. The French presidency confirmed on Friday that the meeting will be held in a “hybrid” format, meaning some participants will be present in person and others via video conference. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s office has indicated he will participate remotely. “On this 35th anniversary of independence, the people of Ukraine should be in no doubt: the United Kingdom is with you today and will remain so for as long as it takes,” Burnham was quoted in the press release as saying. The prime minister reiterated his “unwavering” support for Kiev and his appeal “for a just and lasting peace”.
From the EU another 6.1 billion to Kiev for air defense, missiles and radar
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, the European Commission approved new defense procurement for Ukraine worth 6.1 billion euros. These funds are earmarked for air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunition and radar, confirming Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense and resilience in the face of continued aggression from Russia. The EU executive made this known in a note.
Costa: ‘Kiev’s fight is ours, unconditional support from the EU’
“I have just arrived in Kiev on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day. I am proud to be here on such a significant day, underlining the unconditional support of the EU. Ukraine is a free and courageous nation. Its struggle is also our struggle.” This was stated by the President of the European Council Antonio Costa.
Moscow, ports and energy infrastructures in the Odessa area hit
Russian forces hit port infrastructure and facilities used for supplying the Ukrainian armed forces in the Odessa region. This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel, according to which five tanks containing fuel and port facilities used for the unloading and storage of military cargo were hit in the port of Yuzhny. The ministry also says the attacks affected ships and port infrastructure involved in the delivery of supplies to Ukrainian forces.
Four Ozon warehouses attacked tonight in Russia, wounded in Makhachkala
Four Ozon warehouses were targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks in southern Russia this morning, local authorities and the e-commerce company announced this morning. Ozon confirmed raids on its sites in Krasnodar, Adygeysk, Nevinnomyssk and Makhachkala. In the latter location “there were several injured”, specifies Ozon. It is the third consecutive day that the Russian e-commerce company’s facilities have been attacked, following Ukraine’s announcement of a broader campaign against logistics sites.
Debris from Ukrainian drones hits the Russian city of Krasnodar, leaving 2 children dead and 7 injured
Two children died and seven others were injured at a private childcare center hit by debris from Ukrainian drones shot down over the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, Kiev and Moscow media reported, citing local authorities.
Two adults were also injured in the accident. The attack caused a large fire at a nearby Ozon warehouse, the Russian e-commerce company said, adding that no staff were injured. This is the third consecutive day Ozon has been targeted, following Ukraine’s announcement of a broader campaign against Russian logistics infrastructure. For months, Kiev has been targeting the warehouses of Wildberries, the country’s largest online retailer, claiming it supplies components to the Russian army. Attacks on these commercial sites, which are much less protected than military targets, have already caused billions of dollars in damage, with several structures completely destroyed by fire. Moscow has criticized attacks on its “civilian infrastructure”, more than four years after the start of its large-scale offensive in Ukraine that left tens of thousands dead and reduced entire cities to rubble. These new attacks come as Ukraine celebrates the 35th anniversary of its independence today and hosts a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries that support it.